New diplomats in London
Author: Nicole Archer
Article Date: 13 Nov 2007
Nicole Archer, from the Bahamas High Commission, gets to grips with the Commonwealth’s work
It was a pleasure to participate in the annual Commonwealth Induction Programme for Diplomats, which takes place each year in September. Coming soon after my arrival in London, it proved a very useful introduction to the work of both the Secretariat and the Foundation.
My previous posting was at The Bahamas Mission to the United Nations in New York, so my new job in London, as First Secretary/Vice Consul at the Bahamas High Commission, was a huge change.
The programme turned out to be a timely infusion of knowledge about the Commonwealth, what it does and how it works.
Before I attended the programme, my exposure to the Commonwealth had been very limited. Indeed, over the course of my career I had only had peripheral exposure to Commonwealth matters, and knew very little beyond the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings (CHOGMs) and the various Ministerial meetings.
I was completely unaware of the breadth and depth of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s work on technical cooperation, governance, education, environment, youth and all of the other issues it covers. I was also quite unaware of the work of the Commonwealth Foundation.
The programme was certainly an education for me. Before participating I was one of those people who, if asked about the value of the Commonwealth to my country and in general, would have had difficulty saying much beyond vague musings on shared values and describing the Commonwealth as a unique forum for discussion. I might have sounded rather unconvincing, both to my audience and myself. This is certainly no longer the case.
At the time that I participated in the programme, in 2006, I did not have direct responsibility for Commonwealth affairs in the Bahamas High Commission. I have since assumed the full Commonwealth portfolio and so my attendance at the induction programme has really begun to pay dividends.
In practical terms, I have been able to use the knowledge and information that was provided during the induction programme on the varied areas of the Commonwealth’s work.
I have also been able to draw on the contacts made during the programme. From my first days in London it was clear to me that my new job was very different from the post I held in New York. In New York making contacts was extremely easy, as the UN provided a common gathering place which allowed me to easily meet with colleagues, both on a professional and personal level.
It turned out to be much more difficult to sustain regular contact with colleagues when I first arrived in London. The induction programme very usefully filled that void, to the extent that it provided a basic network of contacts, including colleagues from all regions of the Commonwealth as well as from the Secretariat and the Foundation. This has proved invaluable in terms of discussing matters related to the Commonwealth’s work. These contacts have been very helpful in the day-to-day conduct of my work, and have been equally invaluable in the build-up to CHOGM.
This network of contacts has also extended beyond Commonwealth matters, as I have met many colleagues from the programme in a number of situations in London, including at the International Maritime Organization and also whenever I deal with bilateral matters at work. There have also been social contacts, including receptions and lunches, and of course gatherings before meetings at the Secretariat when we all have a moment to catch up.
In all, the induction programme has been an invaluable tool for me, and no doubt to my other colleagues who participated. The Commonwealth Secretariat and Commonwealth Foundation are to be commended for organising such a useful activity.
The large numbers of applicants each year are testimony to the continuing value placed on the programme by High Commissions in London. For my part, I look forward to continuing to work closely with the people I met on the programme during my time in London.
The Induction Programme for Commonwealth Diplomats is sponsored by the Commonwealth Foundation as part of its programme to promote understanding of the Commonwealth.
The Programme is conducted jointly by the Commonwealth Foundation and the Commonwealth Secretariat and is intended for London-based diplomats, especially those who have recently been assigned to the Commonwealth Desk.
A few places are also reserved for diplomats who are based in other European capitals and/or home-based diplomats of smaller states which do not have representation in London or Europe.
The Programme is held at the International Briefing and Conference Centre, Farnham Castle, Surrey and at Marlborough House in London. For more information, please contact l.phiri@commonwealth.int